Barbarian's Adventure in a Fantasy World-Chapter 44: Fame (1)

“And what about you? What brings you here?”

“I was reporting the results of my mission.”

“Ah, you’ve been working hard.”

“There are plenty of people stronger than me. Why does it always have to be me getting called in?” Kain said. He was a Swordmaster, a Transcendent individual. However, he wasn’t particularly exceptional among his peers; if anything, he leaned toward the weaker side. Many were far stronger than him.

The Tower Master chuckled. “That’s because the truly powerful ones are usually untethered. Not even the Emperor can command them easily. But you? You’re different. You’re still bound to your kingdom. You have abandoned your family, love, and life, yet you can’t seem to let go of your loyalty to your homeland.”

“Mind your own business,” Kain snapped, his face darkening. The man’s words were accurate. Kain’s homeland was a vassal state of the Empire. If he disobeyed the Emperor’s orders, his homeland would suffer.

Most Transcendent individuals had no such ties. Concepts like loyalty and patriotism meant nothing to them. However, it was a different story for Kain. He had cast away everything except for his patriotism—the one thing he couldn’t discard. And so, the Emperor exploited his unwavering loyalty without a second thought.

Damn it, Kain thought. He cursed under his breath. The old man was as irksome as ever.

“Why don’t you focus on running the Mage Tower instead of meddling in my affairs?” Kain asked.

“The Mage Tower runs just fine without me. It’s time for an old man like me to retire and find some hobbies.”

“And those hobbies include tormenting me?”

“Your reactions are entertaining.”

“Get lost,” Kain said flatly.

The Tower Master laughed, clearly amused. “Don’t get so upset. Teasing you is one of my few joys. Someone like you, so fixated on something, is fascinating and has great value. Anyway, how did it go?”

“It went as it always does—well enough.”

“You were in the Silent Forest this time, weren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“How was it?”

“It’s a maddening place. The rules of this world don’t apply there. It’s horrific.” Kain shook his head, visibly exasperated. His mission, assigned by the Emperor, had been to scout one of the Demon Realms.

“There was no sound. Not even when I shouted—there wasn’t even an echo. I couldn’t even properly detect the Myst either. I’d come to my senses only to realize a few soldiers had disappeared. I nearly died several times. I never want to go back there,” Kain continued.

“It must have been dreadful.”

“Why does His Majesty insist on conquering the Demon Realms?”

“Maybe he wants to conquer the world. Who knows what goes on in the minds of rulers?”

Kain smirked bitterly. Speaking ill of the Emperor right outside the palace was a dangerous game. Were the Tower Master anyone else, they’d be dismembered on the spot.

“Still, the Demon Realms are fascinating places. I admit I’m curious about them,” the Tower Master said.

“Please leave me out of it. I prefer a simple life,” Kain replied.

“Do you?” The Tower Master’s voice shifted, and he snapped his fingers. The sound of bones striking echoed, followed by the hum of a barrier forming.

A magical barrier now separated them from the outside world. Though the place was heavily enchanted against magic, such measures meant little to the Tower Master.

Kain looked at him, puzzled. “What’s this about?”

“Nothing important, but there’s no need to broadcast it either.” The Tower Master chuckled as he stepped closer to Kain. “You encountered someone remarkable, didn’t you?”

Kain’s face twisted in irritation. “Damn that Eye of Observation. When did you plant it on me again?”

“I planted it the last time we met. Watching young people is one of my few remaining hobbies.”

“Go to hell.”

“Come now, don’t be so harsh. I’ll send a few artifacts to your kingdom to make it up to you. That should ease your anger.” The Tower Master coaxed Kain gently. Kain stayed silent, begrudgingly accepting. After all, the rewards he received from the Tower Master were often too valuable to reject.

Kain sighed, resigned. “You have already seen everything with your cursed Eye. What more do you want?”

“I want your perspective. The barbarian of the White Snowfield—it’s like something out of legend.”

“It’s not certain yet. It could be a lie.”

“Hmm.” The Tower Master chuckled softly. “A barbarian who defeated Swordmaster Kain and defeated Kartos like an insect? And he was found at the edge of the White Snowfield? The possibility seems high.”

“Kartos? Are you saying he defeated Kartos?” Kain’s eyes widened.

“Oh, you didn’t know? Well, I suppose the news hasn’t spread far yet,” the Tower Master explained. “It’s still a rumor within the Mage Tower. Kartos, the mage who once shook the continent, tried to resurrect himself in the outskirts of the Empire—and was defeated.”

The Mage Tower, being the hub of all magical knowledge, was always the first to catch wind of such stories.”

“I even mourned for Kartos.” The Tower Master tapped his jawbone thoughtfully, the gemstones on his luxurious attire glinting faintly. The man beneath the extravagant clothing was nothing but a skeleton, glowing blue lights flickering in his empty eye sockets. “A shame, really. He was one of the few liches I called a friend.”

“You had friends?” Kain asked dryly.

“Of course. Living through countless years teaches you the value of companionship. But enough about that... I suppose there’s no news of any artifacts from Kartos’s lair?”

“I thought all the artifacts were recovered when Kartos was killed,” Kain replied.

“Kartos hoarded countless relics from the kingdoms he destroyed. While most were recovered, the most precious one remains missing.” The Tower Master clicked his tongue in frustration. “But let’s return to the point. What did you think of him, the barbarian? Do you really think he defeated the lich?”

“I think it’s possible,” Kain admitted. He believed that Ketal was powerful enough to defeat Kartos. Having met Ketal himself, he wasn’t entirely surprised.

“You didn’t tell the Emperor about the barbarian, did you?”

“Why would I? I dislike the Emperor and the Empire,” Kain scoffed, now speaking openly within the confines of the barrier. “That madman of an Emperor—his obsession with ruling the world sacrifices countless lives. I can’t bring myself to like him. What does he even want?”

Kain couldn’t understand how the Emperor was so recklessly throwing away valuable lives in his pursuit of the Demon Realms.

The Tower Master chuckled. “I’d like to know what goes on in his head too. In all my years, I have never seen someone like him.”

“Regardless, I won’t give the Emperor what he wants. Besides... if that barbarian confronts the Emperor, a clash is inevitable.”

Conflict was certain between a barbarian who acted according to his own will and an emperor who sought to seize everything in his grasp. Kain had no reason to inform the Emperor.

“That’s interesting.” The blue light in the Tower Master’s hollow sockets flickered. “You believe a single barbarian could challenge the Emperor and cause problems?”

The Emperor was mighty—so mighty that even the Tower Master couldn’t entirely defy him. And yet, here Kain was, suggesting that one barbarian could oppose the Emperor’s will.

After a moment of silence, Kain spoke. “I don’t know... I can’t fully grasp his strength, but I felt something.”

Kain looked at the Tower Master, the pinnacle of magical power and wisdom.

“When I looked at the barbarian, I felt the same way I feel when I look at you,” Kain admitted.

The Tower Master scratched his jawbone, intrigued. “Are you saying he is as powerful as a Hero?”

“I’m not qualified to make that judgement.”

“But you felt it. The barbarian from the White Snowfield.” The blue light in the Tower Master’s eyes glowed with interest. “He is valuable—beyond measure.”

“You wouldn’t...” Kain muttered, his face twisting in concern.

***

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

Even after defeating a demon, Ketal’s life hadn’t changed. He continued resolving minor requests and enjoying the peaceful scenery of the estate. A few days later, Lord Barcan called for Ketal. It seemed like the lord had finished taking care of the aftermath of the village incident.

Early in the morning, Ketal rose and headed for Lord Barcan’s castle. As he walked leisurely, a woman approached from the opposite direction. Judging by the vegetables piled in her arms, she had likely been out shopping at the market.

Ketal barely paid her any mind because up until now, everyone in the estate who had seen him froze in their tracks and quickly stepped aside to clear his path.

He assumed this time would be no different, walking on without much thought. The woman saw Ketal and froze momentarily. However, what happened next was unexpected.

After staring at Ketal for a brief moment, the woman resumed walking straight ahead. She didn’t avoid him.

“Hm?” Ketal’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. No one had ever failed to step aside upon seeing him. A bit flustered, he continued walking, passing the woman.

“Ah!” the woman shouted.

At that moment, she tripped over a rock and stumbled forward. Instinctively, Ketal moved to catch her.

“Are you alright?” he asked. He grabbed her arm, preventing her from falling.

“A-ah...” The woman looked at Ketal’s hand as he held her steady.

Ketal released her arm, fully expecting what always happened next: a scream, followed by the person fleeing in terror. Even in rare cases when he had helped someone, the reaction was invariably the same.

However, this time was different. The woman quickly gathered her fallen belongings, and then bowed deeply to Ketal. “Th-thank you.”

Ketal nodded absentmindedly, still processing her reaction. The woman scurried away with hurried steps.